Firearm Barrel Including a Gas Pressure Relief Chamber

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a firearm barrel operable to manage gas pressure behind a projectile traveling through the firearm barrel. The design of the firearm barrel enables a firearm to be discharged at a low-report by managing gas pressure behind a bullet while the bullet is under compression from the barrel. In embodiments, the firearm barrel includes an inner barrel having at least one opening in its surface and an outer tube surrounding the inner barrel, such that a chamber is created between the inner barrel and outer tube, the chamber being operable to temporarily retain gases that are generated as a result of discharging a firearm. The gases may pass from the barrel into the chamber through the at least one opening, and the gases may be temporarily retained within the chamber before escaping back through the at least one opening and out of the barrel behind a discharged projectile.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application repeats substantial portions of prior application Ser.No. 15/955,637, filed Apr. 17, 2018, and prior application Ser. No.14/882,428, filed Oct. 13, 2015, and adds additional disclosure notpresented in the prior applications. Because this application names theinventor or at least one joint inventor named in the prior applications,it may constitute a continuation-in-part of the prior application.

This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefitof U.S. application Ser. No. 15/955,637, which was filed Apr. 17, 2018,further claiming the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/882,428,which was filed Oct. 13, 2015 and which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/064,449, entitled “Firearm BarrelIncluding a Gas Pressure Relief Chamber,” which was filed on Oct. 15,2014. The application Ser. Nos. 15/955,637, 14/882,428 and 62/064,449are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a firearm barrel operable to reduce thereport of a firearm and to manage pressure behind a bullet travelingthrough the barrel.

BACKGROUND

Upon the discharging of any firearm, the movement of a bullet throughthe barrel of the firearm is initiated by the ignition of gunpowdercontained within the round, causing the rapid expansion of gas, whichforces the round through and out of the barrel at high speed. Theexpanding gas is confined to the small space contained within thebarrel, forcing it towards the only open area, the muzzle, at highpressure where it exits the barrel. The gas is then free to expand anddissipate in open space after both the gas and the round have left theconfines of the lands and grooves of the barrel.

Currently, efforts to manage the expansion of gas and corresponding loudsound and pressure associated with the discharging of a firearm focus oncontaining the gas after the gas exits the muzzle, following the round,through an attachment (often referred to as a “can,” “suppressor,” or“silencer”) which provides numerous baffled chambers and greater volumefor expansion than that of the barrel. In some instances, a can may beintegrated with the barrel of the firearm and may be referred to as anintegral barrel. Coupled with subsonic ammunition, which is designed totravel at less than the speed of sound, the report of a barrel equippedwith such an attachment, or integral barrel, can be significantlyreduced.

Current means of enhancing safety and reducing the report of a firearmare not fully satisfactory and have inefficiencies and barriers to use.Attachments are state regulated and expensive, oftentimes greatlyexceeding the cost of the firearm itself. Subsonic ammunition is alsomore expensive than standard ammunition. Furthermore, subsonicammunition is not nearly as readily available as standard ammunition.Therefore, a need exists for a barrel that allows a firearm to be usedwhere the speed of a round and gas pressure resulting from discharging around from the firearm can be managed without requiring additionalattachments, components, baffling, or special ammunition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a firearm barrel showing an innerbarrel through a cut-away of an outer tube.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view looking down the axis of a firearmbarrel, the view showing an inner barrel, a gas pressure relief chamber,and an outer tube.

FIG. 2A is a view of the inner barrel.

FIG. 2B is an exploded view of a firearm barrel showing an inner barreland an outer tube.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example implementation of an innerbarrel, an outer tube, and a gas pressure relief chamber seal.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel, the firearmbarrel comprising one or more depressions.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel, the firearmbarrel comprising one or more removable plugs.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel, the firearmbarrel comprising an inner barrel cover that is in an open position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel, the firearmbarrel comprising an inner barrel cover that is in a closed position.

FIG. 9 is a view of an inner barrel cover surrounding a portion of aninner barrel.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel, the firearmbarrel comprising an outer tube that covers less than the entire lengthof an inner barrel.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will be readily understood by those personsskilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broadutility and application. Many methods, embodiments, and adaptations ofthe present invention other than those herein described, as well as manyvariations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be apparentfrom or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the followingdescription thereof without departing from the substance or scope of thepresent invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has beendescribed herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it isto be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplaryof the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providingan enabling disclosure of the invention. The following disclosure is notintended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations,variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Described herein is a firearm barrel operable to manage gas pressurebehind a bullet traveling through the firearm barrel. The design of thefirearm barrel described herein enables a firearm to be discharged at alow-report by managing gas pressure behind a bullet while the bullet isstill under compression from the firearm barrel. The firearm barreldescribed herein may produce a lower noise level than the noise levelassociated with discharging a firearm having a normal barrel of similarlength and caliber. In embodiments, the firearm barrel described hereincomprises a chamber operable to temporarily detain the gases that aregenerated as a result of discharging a firearm.

The barrel described herein is further operable to reduce the speed of abullet traveling through the barrel by managing gas pressure createdduring the discharging of the firearm. When a round is discharged from afirearm's chamber, gas pressure generated from the ignition of gunpowderforces the bullet down the length of the firearm's barrel. By managinggas pressure in the barrel throughout the firing process, the barreldescribed herein serves to reduce the speed of a discharged roundwithout the need for specially designed attachments (e.g., silencer orcan) or ammunition (e.g., subsonic ammunition).

In embodiments, the firearm barrel described herein comprises an innerbarrel that is axially surrounded by an outer tube. It should beunderstood that slight variations may be made to the firearm barrel suchthat the firearm barrel may be installed to replace the standard barrelof various types of firearms. When a round is discharged from thechamber of the barrel and the bullet reaches a predetermined point inthe barrel, a portion of the expanding gases are vented through one ormore openings in the barrel (e.g., slots and/or holes) into a sealedcontainment chamber. The sealed containment chamber is created in a voidarea between the inner barrel and the outer tube, and the void area issealed at both ends. As gases are vented into the containment chamber,gas pressure within the inner barrel is reduced and the bullet continuesdown the barrel at a reduced speed. After the bullet exits the barrel'smuzzle, the gases that are temporarily retained in the containmentchamber pass back into the inner barrel through the same openingsthrough which they were initially released from the inner barrel and theremaining gases exit through the muzzle behind the bullet.

The firearm barrel described herein enables a low-report discharging ofa firearm with the firearm barrel installed. When a bullet exits atypical firearm barrel, all of the gas pressure generated during thefiring process is allowed to rapidly expand when the gas pressure exitsthe compressed barrel. The firearm barrel that is described hereincontrols the gas pressure within the firearm barrel before a bulletexits the barrel. In embodiments, gas pressure behind the bullet may becontrolled while the bullet is still within the control of the firearmbarrel's lands and grooves. It should be understood that variousportions of gas pressure generated during the firing process may bevented to a sealed chamber surrounding an inner barrel to reduce oreliminate the blast created from the rapid expansion of gas pressureexiting a firearm barrel behind a bullet.

An embodiment of the invention described herein may include a firearmbarrel comprising: (a) an inner barrel having a first diameter, whereinthe inner barrel comprises at least one opening on the surface of theinner barrel; (b) an outer tube surrounding the inner barrel, whereinthe outer tube has a second diameter; (c) wherein the first diameter andsecond diameter are so dimensioned as to create a space between theouter surface of the inner barrel and the inner surface of the outertube.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the innerbarrel comprises a chamber-mount end and a muzzle end, and the outertube surrounds the inner barrel for the entire length of the innerbarrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, thechamber-mount end of the inner barrel comprises a temporary mount fortemporarily affixing the inner barrel to the chamber of a firearm.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, thechamber-mount end of the inner barrel comprises a permanent mount forpermanently affixing the inner barrel to the chamber of a firearm.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the innerbarrel comprises a plurality of openings on the surface of the innerbarrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the atleast one opening on the surface of the inner barrel is located in aportion of the inner barrel that extends from the chamber-end of theinner barrel to the center of the axis of the inner barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the gapbetween the outer surface of the inner barrel and the inner surface ofthe outer tube creates a void, and the void is sealed at both ends.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein: (a) gasesemitted during the discharge of a firearm are forced through the atleast one opening in the surface of the inner barrel into the void aftera projectile is discharged from a chamber associated with the firearmand into the inner barrel; (b) the gases that are forced into the voidare retained within the void until the projectile exits the innerbarrel; and (c) when the projectile exits the inner barrel, the gasesthat are retained within the void are released through the at least oneopening in the surface of the inner barrel into the inner barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the gapbetween the outer surface of the inner barrel and the inner surface ofthe outer tube creates a void, and the void is sealed at the muzzle endwith a cap that comprises a hole aligned with the muzzle of the innerbarrel and further comprises threads that mesh with threads located onthe outer surface of the inner barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, thechamber-mount end of the inner barrel is aligned with the chamber of afirearm such that the chamber-mount end of the inner barrel accepts aprojectile discharged from the chamber.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, theinterior surface of the inner barrel comprises lands and grooves.

An embodiment of the invention described herein may include a method ofmaking a firearm barrel, the method comprising the steps of: (a) formingan inner barrel having a first diameter; (b) punching at least oneopening through the surface of the inner barrel; (c) forming an outertube surrounding the inner barrel, wherein the outer tube has a seconddiameter; (d) wherein the first diameter and second diameter are sodimensioned as to create a space between the outer surface of the innerbarrel and the inner surface of the outer tube.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein: (a) theinner barrel comprises a chamber-mount end and a muzzle end, and theouter tube surrounds the inner barrel for the entire length of the innerbarrel; and (b) attaching a temporary mount at the chamber-mount end ofthe inner barrel, the temporary mount being operable to temporarilyaffix the inner barrel to the chamber of a firearm.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the methodof making the firearm barrel further comprises: (a) wherein the innerbarrel comprises a chamber-mount end and a muzzle end, and wherein theouter tube surrounds the inner barrel for the entire length of the innerbarrel; and (b) attaching a permanent mount at the chamber-mount end ofthe inner barrel, the permanent mount being operable to permanentlyaffix the inner barrel to the chamber of a firearm.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the atleast one opening on the surface of the inner barrel is located in aportion of the inner barrel that extends from the chamber-end of theinner barrel to the center of the axis of the inner barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the methodof making the firearm barrel further comprises: (a) wherein the spacebetween the outer surface of the inner barrel and the inner surface ofthe outer tube creates a void; and (b) sealing the void at both ends.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the atleast one opening punched through the surface of the inner barrel isdimensioned such that: (a) gases emitted during the discharge of afirearm are forced through the at least one opening in the surface ofthe inner barrel into the void after a projectile is discharged from achamber associated with the firearm and into the inner barrel; (b) thegases that are forced into the void are retained within the void untilthe projectile exits the inner barrel; and (c) when the projectile exitsthe inner barrel, the gases that are retained within the void arereleased through the at least one opening in the surface of the innerbarrel into the inner barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the methodof making the firearm barrel further comprises: (a) wherein the spacebetween the outer surface of the inner barrel and the inner surface ofthe outer tube creates a void; and (b) sealing the muzzle end of thevoid with a cap that comprises a hole aligned with the muzzle of theinner barrel and further comprises threads that mesh with threadslocated on the outer surface of the inner barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the methodof making the firearm barrel further comprises aligning thechamber-mount end of the inner barrel with the chamber of a firearm suchthat the chamber-mount end of the inner barrel accepts a projectiledischarged from the chamber.

According to an embodiment of the invention described herein, the methodof making the firearm barrel further comprises forming a series of landsand grooves along the interior surface of the inner barrel.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a firearm barrel 100 showing an innerbarrel 105 through a cut-away of an outer tube 110. The inner barrel 105may be open at both ends. When the firearm barrel 100 is installed withother firearm components, one end (e.g., a chamber end) of the innerbarrel 105 may be positioned at the chamber of the firearm, and theother end of the inner barrel (e.g., the muzzle end) may be left open.It should be understood to those skilled in the art that the innerbarrel 105 may be made out of a wide variety of materials. For example,the inner barrel 105 may be made out of a material that can withstandthe heat and pressure that result from the firing of a bullet throughthe inner barrel 105. It should be further understood by those withskill in the art that the inner barrel 105 may be made at variouslengths and that the inner radius of the inner barrel 105 may varyaccording to the caliber bullet intended for use with the firearm barrel100. For example, the length of inner barrel 105 may vary according tothe intended function of the firearm intended for use with the firearmbarrel 100.

In embodiments, the inner barrel may include one or more openings 115.The number and size of the openings 115 may vary according to the typeof firearm that is to be used with the firearm barrel 100. For example,the number and size of openings 115 may vary based upon the caliberbullet that is to be fired through the firearm barrel 100, the grainweights of bullets intended for use with the firearm, length of thefirearm barrel 100, as well as other factors. Increasing the numberand/or size of the openings 115 may allow for better management of agreater amount of gas pressure by allowing more gas to be vented fromthe inner barrel 105. It should be understood that the shape of theopenings 115 may include circles, ovals, slots, squares, rectangles, andany other shape. The shapes of the openings 115 on the surface of aninner barrel may vary or the shapes of the openings 115 on the surfaceof an inner barrel may be the same. For example, one or more openings115 on the surface of an inner barrel may be of the same or varyingshapes. It should be further understood that the sizes of the openings115 on the surface of an inner barrel may vary or the sizes of theopenings 115 on the surface of an inner barrel may be the same. Forexample, one or more openings 115 on the surface of an inner barrel maybe of the same or varying sizes.

In embodiments, spacing of the one or more openings 115 along the innerbarrel may be consistent or may vary. For example, the distance betweenopenings 115 may be equivalent for each opening 115 of an inner barrel,or the distance between openings 115 may vary for the openings 115 of aninner barrel.

In embodiments, the one or more openings 115 may include depressions.For example, each of the one or more openings 115 may be partiallydrilled such that the one or more openings 115 are only a depression inthe outer surface of the inner barrel 105. The depressions may createonly a thinner portion of the wall forming the inner barrel 105. Forexample, the depressions may create a closed surface all along andaround the inner barrel 105. The depressions may be used as referencepoints by an end-user, and the end-user may drill through thedepressions to create the one or more openings 115.

In embodiments, the one or more openings 115 may include markings on theouter surface of the inner barrel 105. The markings may be used asreference points by an end-user, and the end-user may drill through theinner barrel 105 at each of the markings to create the one or moreopenings 115.

In embodiments, a removable plug or cover may be placed in each of theone or more openings 115. Each plug or cover may seal an associatedopening 115. The plugs or covers may be removed from the one or moreopenings 115 by an end-user, thereby creating the one or more openings115 that allow gas pressure to be dissipated from the inside of theinner barrel 105 to a void area between the outer surface of the innerbarrel 105 and the inner surface of the outer tube 110. The plugs may bethreaded or unthreaded plugs.

In embodiments, one or more of the one or more openings 115 may beopened or closed according to the positioning of a sliding inner barrelcover. The sliding inner barrel cover may be shaped to encompass all ora portion of the inner barrel 105. The sliding inner barrel cover mayinclude one or more openings such that gases are allowed to travel fromthe inner barrel 105 to the void area between the outer surface of theinner barrel 105 and the inner surface of the outer tube 110 when one ormore of the openings of the sliding inner barrel are aligned with one ormore of the openings 115. The position of the sliding inner barrelrelative to the inner barrel 105 may be adjusted to open or close adesired number of openings 115, thereby controlling the gas pressurethat is relieved from the inner barrel 105 upon a discharge of theassociated firearm. For example, the sliding inner barrel may be rotatedto various positions about the inner barrel 105 or the sliding innerbarrel may be slid forward or backwards along the inner barrel 105 toclose or open certain openings 115.

In embodiments, the diameter of the inner barrel 105 and the diameter ofthe outer tube 110 may be dimensioned such that a void area is createdbetween the outer surface of the inner barrel 105 and the inner surfaceof the outer tube 110. The void area between the inner barrel and outertube may provide a gas pressure relief chamber 120 for temporarilydetaining gases released during the discharging of a firearm. It shouldbe understood that the diameters of the inner barrel and outer tube canbe dimensioned such that the volume of the void area between the innerbarrel and outer tube is sufficient for detaining a certain portion ofthe gases created during the discharging of the firearm. In embodiments,the gas pressure relief chamber 120 does not include baffling. The gaspressure relief chamber 120 is effective to allow gases generated duringthe discharge of a firearm to escape into the gas pressure reliefchamber 120 without the use of baffling.

In embodiments, the chamber 120 created by the void area between theinner barrel 105 and outer tube 110 can be sealed at both ends. Itshould be understood that various components may be used to prevent gasfrom escaping out of either end of the chamber. As an example, each endof the chamber 120 may be sealed using a gasket (e.g., O-ring), threadedend-cap, and/or various other components. The chamber-end of the firearmbarrel 100 may be sealed during installation of the firearm barrel 100with other firearm components. It will be appreciated that the seal ateither end of the firearm barrel 100 may be made from various materials.In embodiments, the muzzle-end of the chamber 120 may be permanentlysealed (e.g., through an O-ring or other sealing mechanism beingpermanently affixed to the muzzle-end via welding, molding, etc.). Inembodiments, the chamber-end (e.g., the end nearest to the chamber of afirearm or away from the muzzle-end) of the chamber 120 may be sealedusing a sealed cap (e.g., threaded cap with an O-ring or other sealingmechanism).

When a round is fired in the chamber of a firearm, gases may travelthrough the one or more openings 115 into the chamber 120 as the bullettravels through the inner barrel 105. The chamber 120 can detain thecaptured gases until the bullet exits the inner barrel 105. After thebullet exits the inner barrel 105, the captured gases can escape thechamber 120 back through the opening(s) 115 and out the inner barrel105.

When a round is fired in the chamber of a firearm, the gas pressureexerted from the firing of the round is dependent on several differentfactors. For example, larger caliber ammunition and ammunition havinghigher grain weights typically exert greater gas pressure when fired.Gas pressure within the inner barrel 105 may be manipulated through thenumber and size of the openings 115. The gas pressure may be manipulatedsuch that the speed of the bullet is reduced to a desired speed. Forexample, increasing the number of openings 115 within the inner barrel105 and/or increasing the size of openings 115 can allow a greateramount of gas pressure to escape into the chamber 120 between the innerbarrel 105 and outer tube 110, thereby reducing the speed of the bulletas it travels through the inner barrel 105. It should be understood thatthe number and size of the openings 115 can vary according to the amountof gas pressure that needs to be released from the inner barrel 105 toreduce the speed of the bullet to a desired speed.

The location of the one or more openings 115 may vary according to thetype of firearm that is to be used with the firearm barrel 100. Forexample, the positioning of the one or more openings 115 may be variedaccording to a location within the inner barrel 105 at which it isdesired for the speed of the bullet to be reduced. For example, thespeed of a bullet may be reduced earlier in the firing process byplacing one or more openings 115 closer in the barrel 105 to the chamberof a firearm, and the speed of the bullet may be reduced later in thefiring process by placing one or more openings 115 closer to the muzzleend of the barrel 105. It will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that the configuration of openings 115 in the inner barrel 105 canbe altered to achieve various levels of control over gas pressureforcing a bullet through the inner barrel 105.

In embodiments, a plurality of openings 115 may be punched in thesurface of the inner barrel 105. While the plurality of openings 115 areshown at a section of the inner barrel between the axial center of theinner barrel 105 and the chamber-end of the inner barrel 105 (e.g., theend of the inner barrel 105 for accepting a projectile from a chamber405), it should be understood that the openings 115 may be located atvarious positions along the inner barrel 105, including the portion ofthe barrel between the axial center of the barrel and the muzzle-end ofthe barrel (e.g., the end of the inner barrel 105 through which aprojectile exits the inner barrel 105).

It should be understood that the shape of the openings 115 may also bevaried to alter the amount of gas pressure that is allowed to escapefrom the inner barrel 105 into the chamber 120 created between the innerbarrel 105 and outer tube 110.

Altering the configuration of the openings 115 (e.g., number ofopenings, size of openings, shape of openings, positioning of openings,etc.) may allow various levels of control to be obtained over the gaspressure traveling behind a bullet. The chamber 120 can temporarilyretain gas so that the compression of gas behind the bullet and theamount of gas immediately following the bullet upon exit from thefirearm barrel 100 are reduced. The temporarily retained gas that isvented to the chamber 120 may then be allowed to exit the firearm barrel100 at a reduced pressure.

In embodiments, the outer tube 110 may extend along the entire length ofthe inner barrel 105. In embodiments, the outer tube 110 may extendalong only a portion of the length of the inner barrel 105.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view looking down the axis of a firearmbarrel 100, the view showing an inner barrel 105, an outer tube 110, anda gas pressure relief chamber 120. The volume of the gas pressure reliefchamber 120 may be altered by varying the difference between the radiusof the inner barrel 105 and the outer tube 110. In embodiments, thevolume of the gas pressure relief chamber 120 may be based upon the gaspressure anticipated from the firing of a round from an associatedfirearm. For example, larger caliber ammunition and/or heavier grainweight ammunition may create greater pressure in the inner barrel 105when the ammunition is fired from the chamber of a firearm. The volumeof the gas pressure relief chamber 120 can be greater when the firearmbarrel 100 is intended for use with larger caliber ammunition and/orheavier grain weight ammunition. The larger gas pressure relief chamber120 can relieve and detain a greater amount of gas pressure from theinner barrel 105 such that the speed of a bullet may be reduced to adesired speed while traveling through the inner barrel 105. It should beunderstood that the bore of the inner barrel 105 may have variousconfigurations of lands and grooves.

It should be understood that the thickness (i.e., caliper) of the innerbarrel 105 and the outer tube 110 may be of various dimensions. Forexample, the caliper of the inner barrel 105 may be based on the caliberof round for which the barrel is designed. In one embodiment, thecaliper of the outer tube 110 may be smaller than the caliper of theinner barrel 105.

FIG. 2A is a view of the inner barrel 105. The inner barrel 105 may beof a constant outer diameter for a significant length of the innerbarrel 105, and a chamber end of the inner barrel 105 may be of agreater diameter than the diameter of the rest of the inner barrel 105.For example, the chamber end of the inner barrel 105 may be of adiameter that is slightly less than the inner diameter of the outer tube110 of FIG. 1A. The inner diameter of the inner barrel 105 may be aconstant diameter throughout the length of the inner barrel 105 to allowa projectile to travel through the inner barrel 105 under pressure.

In embodiments, the inner barrel 105 may be open at both ends. Forexample, one end of the inner barrel 105 (e.g., the chamber end) canopen to the chamber of the firearm to accept a projectile (e.g., bullet)when the projectile is fired from the chamber, and the other end of theinner barrel 105 (e.g., the muzzle end) can be open to allow theprojectile and gases emitted from the firing of the round to beprojected from the inner barrel 105.

In embodiments, the inner barrel 105 may include one or more openings115. The one or more openings 115 may be located within a first portionof the inner barrel 105 respective to the chamber end of the innerbarrel 105. For example, the one or more openings 115 may be located atvarious positions between the chamber end of the inner barrel 105 and asecond point that is between the chamber end of the inner barrel 105 andthe center of the inner barrel 105. It should be understood that the oneor more openings 115 may be located at any point along the length of theinner barrel 105 and that the one or more openings 115 may be located atany radial point on the inner barrel 105 (e.g., top, bottom, or any sideof the barrel). It should be further understood that the distancebetween the one or more openings 115 may vary.

In embodiments, a chamber end seal 205 may be located on the outersurface of the inner barrel 105 at the chamber end of the inner barrel105. For example, the chamber end seal 205 may be located on the outersurface of the inner barrel 105 at the point of the inner barrel 105having an outer diameter that is greater than the diameter of the restof the inner barrel 105. When the outer tube 110 is placed over theinner barrel 105, the chamber end seal 205 may prevent gases fromescaping a void area (e.g., gas pressure relief chamber 120 of FIG. 1B)that is created between the outer surface of the inner barrel 105 andthe inner surface of the outer tube 110. The chamber end seal 205 may bea rubber seal (e.g., rubber O-ring). It should be understood that thechamber end seal 205 may be made of various other materials (e.g., brassseal, bronze seal, etc.).

In embodiments, the outer surface of the inner barrel 105 may bethreaded at the muzzle end of the inner barrel 105 (e.g., inner barrelthreads 210). The inner barrel threads 210 may mate with threads of amuzzle end seal (e.g., gas pressure relief chamber seal 305 of FIG. 3).

FIG. 2B is an exploded view of a firearm barrel showing an inner barrel105 and an outer tube 110. In embodiments, the outer tube 110 may be ofthe same length as the inner barrel 105, and the inner diameter of theouter tube 110 may be dimensioned so as to fit over the chamber end ofthe inner barrel 105 and to compress the chamber end seal 205. When theouter tube 110 is placed over the inner barrel 105 and the chamber endseal 205 is compressed, gases are effectively precluded from escapingout of the void area (e.g., gas pressure relief chamber 120 of FIG. 1B)created between the outer surface of the inner barrel 105 and the innersurface of the outer tube 110 through the chamber end of the void area.

In embodiments, the gas pressure relief chamber 120 of FIG. 1B may besealed at both ends. It should be understood by one skilled in therelevant art that many different components may be used to seal the gaspressure relief chamber 120. For example, either end of the gas pressurerelief chamber 120 may be sealed using one or more O-rings, threadedcap, direct welded cap, and others.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example implementation of an innerbarrel 105, an outer tube 110, and a gas pressure relief chamber seal305. In embodiments, the gas pressure relief chamber seal 305 mayinclude threads 310 on the inner surface of an opening in the gaspressure relief chamber seal 305. The threads 310 may mesh or mate withthe inner barrel threads 210, so that the gas pressure relief chamberseal 305 may be threaded onto the inner barrel 105 to create a seal atthe muzzle end of the void area between the outer surface of the innerbarrel 105 and the inner surface of the outer tube 110 (e.g., gaspressure relief chamber 120 of FIG. 1B). The gas pressure relief chamberseal 305 may be removable such that the area between the inner barrel105 and the outer tube 110 may be cleaned in between use.

In embodiments, the gas pressure relief chamber seal 305 may include aninner seal 315, wherein the outer diameter of the inner seal 315 isdimensioned so as to be under compression from the outer tube 110 whenthe gas pressure relief chamber seal 305 is threaded onto the innerbarrel 105. The inner seal 315 may be a rubber seal (e.g., rubberO-ring). It should be understood that the inner seal 315 may be made ofvarious other materials (e.g., brass seal, bronze seal, etc.).

In embodiments, the gas pressure relief chamber seal 305 may include acap seal 320. The cap seal 320 may have an outer radius dimensioned soas to cover the gap between the outer surface of the inner barrel 105and the inner surface of the outer tube 110. The cap seal 320 mayinclude a rubber seal such as a rubber O-ring or gasket. It should beunderstood that the cap seal 320 may be a brass or bronze seal. Theinner diameter and outer diameter of the narrower section of the capseal 320 may be dimensioned so as to significantly fill the gap betweenthe outer surface of the inner barrel 105 and the inner surface of theouter tube 110 in order to create a seal at the muzzle end of thepressure relief chamber 120 of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel 100. Thechamber end of the inner barrel 105 may be flush with the exit of achamber 405, such that the inner barrel 105 may accept a projectile fromthe chamber 405. For example, the inner diameter of the inner barrel 105may be equivalent to or nearly equivalent to the diameter of the exit ofthe chamber 405. When a projectile is ejected from the chamber 405,pressure forces the projectile into the inner barrel 105 and gasesgenerated during the firing process follow the projectile out of thechamber 405 and continue to force the projectile through the innerbarrel 105. As the projectile passes an opening 115 in the inner barrel105 wall, gas that is forcing the projectile through the inner barrel105 is allowed to escape through the opening 115 and into the gaspressure relief chamber 120. The resulting pressure relief serves toslow the speed of the projectile as it passes through the inner barrel105, and also reduces the pressure of the gas prior to the projectileand gas exiting the barrel at the muzzle. The gas that is temporarilycontained in the gas pressure relief chamber 120 may be allowed totravel back through the one or more openings 115 in the inner barrel 105wall and out of the muzzle end of the inner barrel 105 after theprojectile leaves the inner barrel 105.

In embodiments, the gas pressure relief chamber 120 can be sealed atboth ends. For example, at the end of the gas pressure relief chamber120 closest to the chamber 405, the gas pressure relief chamber 120 maybe sealed by way of a connection of the outer tube 110 to the innerbarrel 105 (e.g., chamber end seal 205 of FIG. 2A). At the muzzle end ofthe barrel 100, the gas pressure relief chamber 120 can be sealed usingan O-ring and/or gas pressure relief chamber seal 305. It should beunderstood to those skilled in the art that there are many ways in whichto seal the gas pressure relief chamber 120.

In embodiments, the chamber-end of the inner barrel 105 may bepermanently affixed to a chamber 405 of a firearm. For example, theinner barrel 105 may be welded to the chamber 405, may be formed (e.g.,molded) along with the chamber 405, or may be permanently affixed to thechamber 405 using various other methods. The inner barrel 105 may beformed along with the chamber 405 of a firearm such that the innerbarrel 105 and chamber 405 form a single component of the firearm.

In embodiments, the firearm barrel 100 may be temporarily attached to afirearm. The end of the firearm barrel 100 closest to the chamber of thefirearm itself may include a mechanism allowing the firearm barrel 100to be temporarily attached to the firearm. For example, the outersurface of the outer tube 110 or inner barrel 105 may be threaded tomate with a threaded port leading to the chamber 405 of a firearm. Asanother example, a spring-loaded latch may be located at the end of thefirearm barrel 100, and the spring-loaded latch may be locked to holdthe firearm barrel 100 in place against the firearm.

It should be understood that the firearm barrel 100 can be attached tothe chamber of a firearm using various means for attachment. Forexample, the firearm barrel 100 can be permanently (e.g., welding, etc.)or temporarily (e.g., threaded, bolted, etc.) installed with the chamber405 of the firearm. It should be further understood that the attachmentof the firearm barrel 100 to a firearm may be based upon currentpractices for attaching a barrel to a specific firearm. Therefore, themeans for attaching the firearm barrel 100 to a firearm may vary betweendifferent firearm models.

In embodiments, the outer tube 110 may be permanently or temporarilyaffixed to the chamber 405. For example, a chamber-end of the outer tube110 may be attached to or formed along with the chamber 405.

In embodiments, the outer tube 110 may be permanently or temporarilyaffixed to a base element of the inner barrel 105. For example, thechamber-end of the outer tube 110 may be attached to the base element ofthe inner barrel 105. As another example, the outer surface of the baseelement may be threaded and a portion of the inner surface of the outertube 110 may be threaded to mate with the threading of the base element.

In embodiments, the void area created by the gap between the innerbarrel 105 and outer tube 110 may be sealed at the muzzle-end by a gaspressure relief chamber seal 205. The gas pressure relief chamber seal305 may be a gasket operable to prevent gas from escaping from themuzzle-end of the void area created by the gap between the inner barrel105 and outer tube 110.

In embodiments, the void area created by the gap between the innerbarrel 105 and outer tube 110 may be sealed at the chamber-end by agasket or by forming the inner barrel 105 and outer tube 110 flushagainst the surface of a chamber 405. For example, the void area may beenclosed at the chamber-end by the exterior surface of the chamber 405.

In embodiments, the inner barrel 105 or outer tube 110 may fit into areceiver 410 associated with a firearm such that the entrance to theinner barrel 105 meets the exit of the chamber 405. It should beunderstood that various attachment mechanisms (e.g., blocks, bolts,etc.) may be used to hold the inner barrel 105 or outer tube 110 inplace at the receiver. It will be appreciated by those skilled in therelevant art that the means for attaching the barrel 100 to a receiver410 may vary according to the type of receiver 410 used with thefirearm.

In embodiments, the inner barrel 105 and outer tube 110 may be held inplace by way of the seal at each end of the barrel 100. For example, thegas pressure relief chamber seal 305 may hold the muzzle end of theinner barrel 105 and the muzzle end of the outer tube 110 in place, andthe chamber end of the outer tube meeting the base element (e.g., theportion of the inner barrel 105 having the greatest diameter) of theinner barrel 105 may hold the chamber ends of the barrel components inplace. Various types of seals (e.g., O-ring) may be used to hold themuzzle ends and chamber ends of the barrel components in place.

In embodiments, the outer tube 110 may extend along only a portion ofthe length of the inner barrel 105. For example, the gas pressure reliefchamber seal 305 may create a seal at the muzzle-end of the gas pressurerelief chamber 120, wherein the muzzle-end of the gas pressure reliefchamber 120 is located at a point along the inner barrel 105 that isshort of the muzzle-end of the inner barrel 105 (as shown by thealternative position of the gas pressure relief chamber seal 305).

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel 100, thefirearm barrel 100 comprising one or more partial openings 505. The oneor more partial openings 505 may be partial openings on the surface ofthe inner barrel 105. The one or more partial openings 505 may be openedby an end-user to allow gas pressure to be dissipated from inside theinner barrel 105 to the gas pressure relief chamber 120 created betweenthe outer surface of the inner barrel 105 and the inner surface of theouter tube 110. For example, the partial openings 505 may be depressionsor partially drilled holes such that the thickness of the inner barrel105 surface is less at the partial openings 505 than the thickness ofthe inner barrel 105 at other sections of the barrel. Thus, the partialopenings 505 may create a sealed barrier between the interior of theinner barrel 105 and the gas pressure relief chamber 120 until thepartial opening(s) 505 are opened by an end-user. For example, theend-user may use the partial openings 505 as reference points fordrilling through the inner barrel 105, thereby creating the one or moreopenings 115 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel 100, thefirearm barrel 100 comprising one or more removable plugs 605. The oneor more removable plugs 605 may be placed within the one or moreopenings 115, thereby creating a sealed barrier between the interior ofthe inner barrel 105 and the gas pressure relief chamber 120. It shouldbe understood that the removable plugs 605 may be made from a variety ofmaterials to seal the one or more openings 115. The removable plugs 605may be removed from the one or more openings 115 by an end-user to allowgas pressure to be dissipated from inside the inner barrel 105 to thegas pressure relief chamber 120.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel 100, thefirearm barrel 100 comprising an inner barrel cover 705 that is in anopen position. In embodiments, one or more of the one or more openings115 may be opened or closed according to the positioning of the innerbarrel cover 705. The inner barrel cover 705 may be shaped to encompassall or a portion of the inner barrel 105. The inner barrel cover 705 mayinclude one or more cover openings 710 such that gases are allowed totravel from the inner barrel 105 to the void area between the outersurface of the inner barrel 105 and the inner surface of the outer tube110 when one or more of the cover openings 710 are aligned with one ormore of the openings 115. FIG. 7 shows the inner barrel cover 705 in anopen position in which each of the cover openings 710 are positioneddirectly over an opening 115 such that each of the openings 115 are leftuncovered by the inner barrel cover 705. The position of the innerbarrel cover 705 relative to the inner barrel 105 may be adjusted toopen or close a desired number of openings 115, thereby controlling thegas pressure that is relieved from the inner barrel 105 upon a dischargeof the associated firearm. For example, the inner barrel cover 705 maybe rotated to various positions about the inner barrel 105 or the innerbarrel cover 705 may be slid forward or backwards along the inner barrel105 to close or open certain openings 115.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel 100, thefirearm barrel 100 comprising an inner barrel cover 705 that is in aclosed position. In embodiments, one or more of the one or more openings115 may be opened or closed according to the positioning of the innerbarrel cover 705. The inner barrel cover 705 may be shaped to encompassall or a portion of the inner barrel 105. The inner barrel cover 705 mayinclude one or more cover openings 710 such that gases are allowed totravel from the inner barrel 105 to the void area between the outersurface of the inner barrel 105 and the inner surface of the outer tube110 when one or more of the cover openings 710 are aligned with one ormore of the openings 115. FIG. 8 shows the inner barrel cover 705 in aclosed position in which each of the cover openings 710 are in an offsetposition from an opening 115 such that each of the openings 115 are leftcovered by a solid surface of the inner barrel cover 705. It should beunderstood that the inner barrel cover 705 may be slid or rotated intomultiple positions in which one or more openings 115 are covered by asolid surface of the inner barrel cover 705 while one or more othercover openings 710 are positioned directly over one or more openings115. The position of the inner barrel cover 705 relative to the innerbarrel 105 may be adjusted to open or close a desired number of openings115, thereby controlling the gas pressure that is relieved from theinner barrel 105 upon a discharge of the associated firearm. Forexample, the inner barrel cover 705 may be rotated to various positionsabout the inner barrel 105 or the inner barrel cover 705 may be slidforward or backwards along the inner barrel 105 to close or open certainopenings 115.

FIG. 9 is a view of an inner barrel cover 705 surrounding a portion ofan inner barrel 105. The inner barrel cover 705 may be slid or rotatedto various positions along or about the inner barrel 105. For example,the inner barrel cover 705 may be moved along or about the inner barrel105 to align one or more cover openings 710 with one or more openings ofthe inner barrel 105 (e.g., openings 115 of FIG. 1) such that the one ormore openings of the inner barrel 105 remain open to a void areasurrounding the inner barrel 105 (e.g., pressure relief chamber 120 ofFIG. 1B). As another example, the inner barrel cover 705 may be movedalong or about the inner barrel 105 to cover one or more openings of theinner barrel 105 (e.g., openings 115) with a solid surface of the innerbarrel cover 705.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm barrel 100, thefirearm barrel 100 comprising an outer tube 110 that covers less thanthe entire length of an inner barrel 105. For example, the muzzle end ofthe outer tube 110 may be located at a position that is in between thechamber end of the inner barrel 105 and the muzzle end of the innerbarrel 105 such that the muzzle end seal of the chamber 120 is not flushwith the muzzle of the inner barrel 105.

It should be understood that control over the speed of a bullet stemmingfrom management of the gas expansion, pressure, flow and exit throughthe muzzle may be accomplished differently for various firearms. Byvarying the relative size of the outer tube to the inner barrel to alterthe volume available for the gas escaping from the inner barrel and/orby changing the number, configuration, location, size and shapes of theopenings in the inner barrel through which the gas escapes, accuratecontrol over the pressure generated in the inner barrel by firing around can be achieved.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that thetechnology described herein applies to barrels used with various typesof firearms. For example, the technology may be applied to rifles,shotguns, handguns, and others. The number, position, shapes, and sizesof the openings may be configured according to the type of firearm.Additionally, firearms having multiple barrels may or may not beindependently sealed, or connected using the same space (essentiallyforming a single gas detention chamber) and allowing the gases from eachindependent inner barrel to mix in the same space between the innerbarrels and the outer barrel.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that various configurations of openingsin the inner barrel may be used according to the power of ammunitionused with the firearm. It should be understood that the technologydescribed herein may be used with firearms having barrels of any length,caliber, and power, as well as fully automatic, semi-automatic andsingle-shot firearms.

It will be appreciated that the various components of the firearm barreldescribed herein may be made using various materials.

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm barrel comprising: an inner barrelhaving a first diameter, wherein the inner barrel comprises a pluralityof openings on the surface of the inner barrel; an outer tubesurrounding the inner barrel, wherein the outer tube has a seconddiameter; wherein the first diameter and second diameter are sodimensioned as to create a space between an outer surface of the innerbarrel and an inner surface of the outer tube, and wherein the surfaceof the inner barrel comprising the plurality of openings separates aninterior space of the inner barrel from the space between the outersurface of the inner barrel and the inner surface of the outer tube; andwherein the space between the outer surface of the inner barrel and theinner surface of the outer tube is sealed at a chamber-end and at amuzzle-end, wherein the space is sealed at the muzzle-end via apermanent seal.
 2. The firearm barrel of claim 1, wherein the innerbarrel comprises a chamber-mount end and a muzzle end, and wherein theouter tube surrounds the inner barrel for less than the entire length ofthe inner barrel.
 3. The firearm barrel of claim 2, wherein thechamber-mount end of the inner barrel comprises a temporary mount fortemporarily affixing the inner barrel to the chamber of a firearm. 4.The firearm barrel of claim 1, wherein the seal at the muzzle-endsurrounds the outer surface of the inner barrel and is positioned at alocation that is between the chamber and a muzzle-end of the innerbarrel such that a cap of the seal is not flush with muzzle of the innerbarrel.
 5. The firearm barrel of claim 1, wherein the at least oneopening on the surface of the inner barrel is located in a portion ofthe inner barrel that extends from the chamber-end of the inner barrelto the center of the axis of the inner barrel.
 6. The firearm barrel ofclaim 1, wherein the gap between the outer surface of the inner barreland the inner surface of the outer tube creates a void, and wherein thevoid is sealed at both ends.
 7. The firearm barrel of claim 6, wherein:gases emitted during the discharge of a firearm are forced through theat least one opening in the surface of the inner barrel into the voidafter a projectile is discharged from a chamber associated with thefirearm into the inner barrel; the gases that are forced into the voidare retained within the void until the projectile exits the innerbarrel; and when the projectile exits the inner barrel, the gases thatare retained within the void are released through the at least oneopening in the surface of the inner barrel into the inner barrel.
 8. Thefirearm barrel of claim 1, wherein the gap between the outer surface ofthe inner barrel and the inner surface of the outer tube creates a void,and wherein the void is sealed at the chamber end with a cap thatcomprises a hole aligned with the muzzle of the inner barrel and furthercomprises threads that mesh with threads located on the outer surface ofthe inner barrel.
 9. The firearm barrel of claim 1, wherein thechamber-mount end of the inner barrel is aligned with the chamber of afirearm such that the chamber-mount end of the inner barrel accepts aprojectile discharged from the chamber.
 10. The firearm barrel of claim1, wherein the one or more openings are sealed with a removable plug.11. The firearm barrel of claim 1, wherein each of the one or moreopenings comprise partial openings, the partial openings comprisingdepressions on the surface of the inner barrel.
 12. The firearm barrelof claim 1, wherein the one or more openings comprise partially drilledholes on the surface of the inner barrel.
 13. The firearm barrel ofclaim 1, further comprising: a cover surrounding a portion of the lengthof the inner barrel, wherein the cover is free to move between at leasttwo positions, wherein the at least two positions comprise a firstposition at which all of the one or more openings are left uncovered bythe cover and a second position at which at least one of the one or moreopenings is covered by the cover.
 14. A method of making a firearmbarrel, the method comprising the steps of: forming an inner barrelhaving a first diameter; punching at least one opening through thesurface of the inner barrel; forming an outer tube surrounding the innerbarrel, wherein the outer tube has a second diameter; wherein the firstdiameter and second diameter are so dimensioned as to create a spacebetween the outer surface of the inner barrel and the inner surface ofthe outer tube.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: whereinthe inner barrel comprises a chamber-mount end and a muzzle end, andwherein the outer tube surrounds the inner barrel for less than theentire length of the inner barrel; and attaching a temporary mount atthe chamber-mount end of the inner barrel, the temporary mount beingoperable to temporarily affix the inner barrel to the chamber of afirearm.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: wherein theinner barrel comprises a chamber-mount end and a muzzle end, and whereinthe outer tube surrounds the inner barrel for less than the entirelength of the inner barrel; and wherein a seal at the muzzle-endsurrounds the outer surface of the inner barrel and is positioned at alocation that is between the chamber and a muzzle-end of the innerbarrel such that a cap of the seal is not flush with muzzle of the innerbarrel.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one opening onthe surface of the inner barrel is located in a portion of the innerbarrel that extends from the chamber-end of the inner barrel to thecenter of the axis of the inner barrel.
 18. The method of claim 14,further comprising: wherein the space between the outer surface of theinner barrel and the inner surface of the outer tube creates a void; andsealing the void at both ends.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theat least one opening punched through the surface of the inner barrel isdimensioned such that: gases emitted during the discharge of a firearmare forced through the at least one opening in the surface of the innerbarrel into the void after a projectile is discharged from a chamberassociated with the firearm and into the inner barrel; the gases thatare forced into the void are retained within the void until theprojectile exits the inner barrel; and when the projectile exits theinner barrel, the gases that are retained within the void are releasedthrough the at least one opening in the surface of the inner barrel intothe inner barrel.
 20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:wherein the space between the outer surface of the inner barrel and theinner surface of the outer tube creates a void; and sealing the chamberend of the void with a cap that comprises a hole aligned with the innerbarrel and further comprises threads that mesh with threads located atthe chamber.